The most memorable stories often blend moments of hope with moments of hardship. In this session, authors discuss how they balance dark and light elements in their work, creating emotional depth, maintaining reader engagement, and crafting stories that resonate across genres.
What It’s Like to Operate in the Shadows
Some stories can only come from lived experience. Leo J. Maloney recounts moments from his work as a black operative inside a clandestine government agency, showing how real missions shape tension, pacing, and character choices. This session gives writers insight into...




